Kapok Knot, a Japanese farm-to-fashion brand, has developed the industry’s only plant-based down-alternative. Kapok Down is a first-of-its-kind blend of 40 per cent kapok fibre and 60 per cent recycled polyester, innovated into a sheeted, wearable-friendly form by founder Kishow Fukai. The company has now pioneered cruelty-free down-alternative outerwear.
For Fall 2020, Kapok Knot has introduced the Kapok Down Harrington Jacket, the Kapok Down Chester Coat, and the Kapok Down Balmacaan Coat. All are insulated with the brand’s patent-pending Kapok Down, which opens up unlimited design possibilities for combining fashion-forward styles, performance warmth, and the highest standards of ethics and sustainability.Kapok Knot, a Japanese farm-to-fashion brand, has developed the industry's only plant-based down-alternative. Kapok Down is a first-of-its-kind blend of 40 per cent kapok fibre and 60 per cent recycled polyester, innovated into a sheeted, wearable-friendly form by founder Kishow Fukai. The company has now pioneered cruelty-free down-alternative outerwear.
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Kapok Knot is now available for the first time in the US. Kapok Down is a first-of-its-kind blend of 40 per cent kapok fibre and 60 per cent recycled polyester, innovated into a sheeted, wearable-friendly form. Kapok fibre is plant-based and renewable, harvested from kapok tree seed pods, with a fill-power comparable to goose down. Its short fibres have made it difficult to commercialise, until now.
Kapok fibres are carefully grown and harvested by farmers in Indonesia, then blended with recycled polyester in China to create the brand’s proprietary, highly insulating, easy-to-sew Kapok Down sheets. In Japan, instead of mass market manufacturing, Kapok Knot jackets are sewn by individual craftspeople.
A fourth-generation leader in Japan’s apparel business, Fukai grew up questioning the ethics and sustainability of his family’s industry, and kapok fibre has proven the ideal medium for innovation. The Kapok Knot brand first launched in Japan to two highly successful crowdfunding campaigns. Fukai aims to improve the garment industry from the inside out, eventually introducing Kapok Down to the manufacturing industry at large and reducing the use of poultry-based down.
“Kapok Knot is a farm-to-fashion brand that believes you should be able to look good, feel good, and do good — all at the same time,” the company says. One kapok tree makes enough fibre in a single year to make 30 Kapok Down jackets.
Kapok Down is the only down-alternative on the market made with only renewable and recycled materials (most synthetic down-alternatives are made from petroleum). At a time when the garment industry is responsible for a whopping 10 per cent of annual global carbon emissions, and climate change’s effects are more tangible than ever, Kapok Knot strives for optimal sustainability in its materials and practices and contributes 1 per cent of sales to environmental efforts.
Kapok Knot knows exactly where its clothing comes from, from the beginning to the end of the supply chain, treating everyone in the process with respect and dignity.
Kapok Down Harrington Jacket is water-repellent and windproof, with a 100 per cent recycled nylon outer. Kapok Down Chester Coat is durable wool-like outer. Kapok Down Balmacaan Coat is water-repellent with a statement stand-up collar. All are cruelty-free with the warmth of down, ethically and sustainably made.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)
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